SpaceX launched its Falcon Heavy rocket on February 6, 2018, carrying Elon Musk’s beloved cherry-red 2008 Tesla Roadster. Inside the car sat a mannequin named “Starman,” dressed in a spacesuit, accompanied by David Bowie’s iconic song “Space Oddity.” This extraordinary event captured the world’s attention and sparked a new wave of excitement for space exploration.
As time passed, people became more curious about where Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster ended up. Recent tracking data reveals that it’s currently about 61 million miles (98 million kilometres) away from Earth, travelling through space at an astonishing speed of nearly 8,000 miles per hour (12,800 kilometres per hour).
According to SpaceX’s calculation, the Roadster completed its first orbit around the Sun in August 2019 and made its first close approach to Mars on Oct. 7, 2020. The next close approach to Earth is expected to happen sometime in 2047 at a distance of 5 million kilometers. (via observer)
Elon Musk’s Roadster isn’t just circling Earth; it’s also heading towards Mars and the Sun. According to WhereIsRoadster.com, It’s about 222 million miles (358 million kilometres) away from Mars and moving towards it at over 9,600 miles per hour (15,500 kilometres per hour). In its path towards the Sun, it’s approximately 92 million miles (148 million kilometres) away and travelling at around 3,300 miles per hour (5,300 kilometres per hour).
Despite its vast journey, the Roadster continues to orbit the Sun in an irregular pattern, completing nearly four orbits since its launch. While according to NASA, the orbit will remain stable for millions of years, the car is exposed to cosmic hazards like radiation and micrometeoroids that could gradually damage it over time.
There’s speculation about what might happen to Elon Musk’s Roadster in the future. Astrophysicist Hanno Rein suggests a 22 per cent chance it could collide with Earth within the next 15 million years, possibly burning up in the atmosphere. Alternatively, there’s a 12 per cent chance it could crash into either Venus or the Sun.
According to CNET, the team at Whereisroadster.com have also worked out that the red sports car will make a close encounter with Earth in 2091 when it will come within a couple hundred thousand kilometres of the planet where it was made.
Despite its remote location, Elon Musk has hinted at the possibility of future interactions with his Roadster. He mentioned the idea of launching a spacecraft to rendezvous with the car, take pictures, or even retrieve it for further study.
The Starman mission isn’t just about a car in space; it’s about inspiring people to dream big and reach for the stars. Elon Musk’s bold venture serves as a reminder of humanity’s endless curiosity and our potential to explore the unknown.
As Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster and its cosmic passenger, Starman, continue their journey through space, they serve as a symbol of human ingenuity and exploration. With each passing orbit, they inspire us to imagine what lies beyond and to strive for new discoveries.
The adventure of the Starman and his Tesla Roadster is a testament to our collective desire to explore the mysteries of the universe, reminding us that the sky is not the limit, but only the beginning of our journey into the cosmos.